BOB Alterrain Pro Review
Pros: Handbrake, upgraded suspension, covered storage, jogger
Cons: Heavy, expensive, suspension isn't adjustable
Manufacturer: BOB
The Skinny
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
BOB Alterrain Pro | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | | |  | |
| Price | $680 List $679.99 at Amazon | $580 List $549.95 at Amazon | $450 List $449.99 at Amazon | $680 List $699.99 at Amazon | $280 List $259.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Handbrake, upgraded suspension, covered storage, jogger | Easiest to push, jogger, high quality, easy to use | Less expensive jogger, great maneuverability, durable | Easy to use, lots of supplies fit in storage, great features, suspension, no flat tires | Price, lightweight, compact fold |
| Cons | Heavy, expensive, suspension isn't adjustable | Bulkier, harder to transport | Larger, may be hard to lift and carry | Heavier than old Cruz, more expensive | Dual-front wheel, hard to access storage |
| Bottom Line | High-quality, sleek jogger with enough features for every day use | A cool-looking multi-purpose jogging stroller that is also great for everyday use | Versatile option with quality craftsmanship and features for jogging or everyday use | A high-quality option with lots of useful features and an impressive design with an eye for details | A budget-minded stroller with the features you need and not much else |
| Rating Categories | BOB Alterrain Pro | Thule Urban Glide 2 | BOB Rambler | UPPAbaby Cruz v2 | Baby Jogger City Mi... |
| Ease Of Use (45%) | |||||
| Maneuverability (30%) | |||||
| Weight Folded Size (15%) | |||||
| Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specs | BOB Alterrain Pro | Thule Urban Glide 2 | BOB Rambler | UPPAbaby Cruz v2 | Baby Jogger City Mi... |
| Weight | 31.4 lbs | 24.4 lbs | 25.1 lbs | 25 lbs | 19.3 lbs |
| Folded Dimensions | 25.4"W x 17.3"H x 39.5"L | 27.2"W x 15.5"H x 36.5"L | 25.3"W x 13.5"H x 38.5"L | 22.9"W x 16.5"H x 33"L | 25.7"W x 10.6"H x 31.1"L |
| Capacity Limits | Minimum: Walk Only: Infant Car Seat: 0 - 8 wk. Stroller Seat: 8 wk. - 8 mo. Jogging & Off-Road: 8 mo. - 5 yr. Maximum: 74 lbs/44" |
Minimum: 6 mo. Maximum: 49 lbs/43.7" |
Minimum: Walk Only: Infant Car Seat: 0 - 8 wk. Stroller Seat: 8 wk. - 8 mo. Jogging & Off-Road: 8 mo. - 5 yr. Maximum: 74 lbs/44" |
Minimum: From Birth With Infant Snugseat Or Bassinet 3 mo.+ For Toddler Seat Maximum: 50 lbs/40" |
Minimum: Birth Maximum: 50 lbs/44" |
| Included Car Seat Compatibility | None | None | None | UPPAbaby Mesa |
Baby Jogger City GO, City GO 2 |
| Click-in Car Seat Adapters | Available Summer/Fall 2020: Britax B-Safe® 35, B-Safe® 35 Elite, B-Safe® Ultra, Endeavours® Chicco KeyFit® 30, KeyFit® 30 Zip, KeyFit® Zip Air, KeyFit® Magic, Fit2® Graco All SnugRide® models, SnugRide® Click Connect® models, SnugRide® SnugLock® models Peg Perego Primo® Viaggio 4-35 , Primo® Viaggio 4-35 Nido |
BeSafe Izi GO Mod, Izi GO X1 Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30 Cybex Aton, Aton 2, Aton 4, Aton 5 Maxi Cosi CabrioFix, Citi, Mico 30, Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Pebble, Pebble Plus Nuna Pipa |
None | UPPAbaby Mesa Chicco KeyFit 30, KeyFit 30 Zip, KeyFit 30 Zip Air, Fit2, Fit2 LE, Fit2 Air Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Mico AP & Micro Max Plus, Nuna PIPA™, PIPA lite, PIPA lite lx, PIPA lite r & PIPA lite rx Cybex Aton, Aton 2, Aton Q & Aton M |
Baby Jogger City GO, City GO 2 Britax B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 2, KeyFit 30, KeyFit 30 Zip Cybex Aton, Aton 2, Aton Q, Cloud Q Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 Elite, Snugride 35 Platinum, Snugride Click Connect 35 LX Maxi Cosi Mico AP, Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Mico 30 Nuna Pipa Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Uppababy Mesa Clek Liing |
| Strap-in Car Seat Adapters | None | BOB Unity Britax Affinity Unity, B-Safe, B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite, Chaperone, Unity, Unity ISOFIX Compatible Britax-Romer Baby-Safe, Baby-Safe Plus II Chicco KeyFit Plus Combi Shuttle 33 Evenflo Discovery 5 Graco SafeSeat, SnugRide, SnugRide Click Connect, SnugRide Click Connect 30, SnugRide Click Connect 35, SnugRide Click Connect LX 35, SnugRide Click Connect 40 Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30, Primo Viaggio 4-35 Safety 1st Comfy Carry Elite, onBoard, onBoard Air Safe-n-Sound Unity, Unity Neos UPPAbaby Mesa |
Britax B-Safe, B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite, Chaperone BOB B-Safe, B-Safe 35 Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, 30LX, 35, 35 LX, 40, SnugRide Classic Connect 22, 30, 32, 35 Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35, Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30, Primo Viaggio SIP Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30 |
None | None |
| Recline | Deep | Deep | Deep | Deep | Deep |
| Storage Basket Size | Large | Large | Large | Very Large | Large |
| Sun Shade Size | Large | Large | Large | Large | Large |
| One-handed Fold | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Locking Fold | Auto | Auto | Auto | Auto | Auto |
| Self-standing Fold | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Handlebar Height - Min/Max | 32.5"/47.5" | 30"/46" | 38.8" | 40"/43" | 41" |
| Sandal-friendly Brake | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Included Accessories | None | None | None | Rain Shield, Bug Shield | City GO infant car seat adapter. |
| Setup Time | 5:46 min:sec |
5:13 min:sec | 5:30 min:sec | 5:54 min:sec |
4:23 min:sec |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Beast of Burden (BOB) company began in 1994 in California with Roger Malinowski and Philip Novotny at the helm. With combined specialties of bicycle professional and the airline mechanic, they originally created Yak bike trailers. After fatherhood came calling, the two saw a gap in the market for a rugged stroller suitable for jogging. And with this, the original BOB was created. The BOB company is now owned by Britax.
Performance Comparison
Ease of Use
The BOB Alterrain Pro is easy to use and while it didn't win top honors here, it is still a straightforward stroller with useful features.
Fold and Unfold
This stroller has a simpler fold than other BOBs with a one hand slide and twist mechanism under the front of the seat. This BOB self-stands and can be rolled like luggage when folded, but it still lacks a carry strap or lifting handle. We love the improved fold and prefer it over the BOBs of yore.
Brakes
The Alterrain Pro has a fancy new round bar brake pedal that engages brake "pins" into holes. The brakes are single action and work well. We didn't have any issues during testing and they feel somehow beefier than the brakes on other BOBs.
The handbrake is good for slowing the stroller when going downhill and is favored by runners everywhere. This feature worked well during testing and while it won't stop a stroller, it can sure help one ease to a slower stop.
Storage
The Alterrain Pro storage basket has a zippered cover to help protect whatever supplies you have on board. The cover is weather resistant and prevents items from falling out over bumpy roads.
The Pro also has a pocket that hangs off the back of the canopy flap, mesh pockets on the back of the passenger seat, and pockets inside the seat for tiny treasures and snacks. We like the passenger pockets and find them more useful than snack trays that many kids can't reach and that items fall off of.
Sunshade
The canopy on the Pro is waterproof and wind resistant. It offers UPF 50+ protection and comes with a peek-a-boo window that is mesh for ventilation. This canopy is taunt and less frumpy than other BOB sunshades and it offers a lot of protection for the passenger. The window cover has magnet closures which offer silent peeking, a plus over loud Velcro closure.
Harness
The 5-point harness and buckle on the PRO are both new and outfitted with the new BOB badge. We like the changes, but the buckle is stiff and somewhat harder to open and close than the previous BOB fare. The shoulder straps slide up and down for height and there is one pull strap to tighten the entire harness for fitting.
Seat
The Alterrain Pro has a one-hand seat recline but you'll need two to raise it. The leg rest is stationary but sits at a comfortable angle.
The seat is a sling-style seat with some padding and is deep for cozy napping.
Car Seat Compatibility
The Pro is compatible with some infant car seats from Britax, BOB, Chicco, Graco, and Peg Perego. The adapters have two attachments for the stroller frame and a metal loop for carrier attachment.
Generally speaking, most pediatricians recommend you wait until your baby is 8+ months old before moving faster than a quick walk. Babies lack the neck and core strength to support themselves over jarring terrain. Between 8-12 months, you can begin jogging on flat surfaces and uneven surfaces should be saved for babies older than a year. Check with your child's doctor before you start running.
Ease of Setup
The Pro took us 5:46 minutes to assemble with a helpful user's manual. Assembly doesn't require any tools and includes putting wheels in place and putting the canopy on. It is one of the easiest in the bunch to unpack and setup.
Maneuverability
It is hard to find a stroller that moves better than a BOB and the Alterrain Pro is no exception. With a 3-wheel jogging design including locking swivel front wheel and off-road suspension, this stroller can take even the tightest turns without blinking an eye. The rubber, pneumatic tires and larger wheels keep bumps to a minimum and there is very little this stroller won't roll over. During testing, we had no trouble with grass, gravel, pavement, carpet, roots, rocks, curbs and more.
The rotating adjustable handlebar helps pushers of any height to find the right balance to avoid fatigue and awkward body placement that lead to discomfort. Whether you are navigating the tight aisles of a convenience store or the open range on a nature hike, this stroller will get you there.
Weight and Folded Size
The BOB Alterrain Pro is one of the most substantial strollers in the lineup, which hurt its overall rank. While the beefier wheels and brake system may be worth it for running and ease of use, many of the upgrades on the Pro increased the weight and size over the more traditional BOB offerings. The BOB weighs 31.4 lbs and is 17,357 cubic inches when folded. These measurements make it one of the heaviest and largest options in our full-size testing history. You'll want to check your car space for fit and you'll need to check your lifting prowess before you commit to this stroller.
Quality
Historically, BOBs are known for being durable and lasting almost forever. The Alterrain Pro seems of similar ilk with a solid aluminum frame and construction that lacked any errors we could see during our tests. The materials all feel and look high-end and there is no sway, flex, or play in any of the connection points. Fasteners and connection points are largely hidden and the parts that move, do so smoothly. This BOB lacks the adjustable suspension on the other BOBs but it feels suitable for most adventures and a comfortable riding experience for passengers. The overall fit and finish are one of thoughtful attention to detail and good quality control on the manufacturing level. The Pro we purchased didn't have any flaws we could find and it feels like it will live up to the brand's legendary lifespans.
Manufacturer Video
— Wendy Schmitz